Adaptable truck bed storage systems

ABSTRACT

A vehicle that includes an adaptable truck bed storage system includes a truck bed with a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The adaptable truck bed storage system is configured to receive accessories and includes an anchoring assembly that includes a first fixed end coupled to the first sidewall and a second fixed end coupled to the second sidewall. The anchoring assembly includes at least one pin. The adaptable truck bed storage system further includes an indexable center bar that extends between the first fixed end and the second fixed end. The indexable center bar includes a plurality of accessory channels on a plurality of sides of the indexable center bar. The accessory channels extend at least a portion of a length of the indexable center bar. The indexable center bar is indexable between a plurality of discrete positions and the pin locks the indexable center bar in one of the discrete positions to adapt the adaptable truck bed storage system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/632,705, filed Feb. 20, 2018, hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification generally relates to an adaptable truck bedstorage system for storing cargo in a truck bed and, more specifically,an adaptable truck bed storage system including an adaptable cargo barfor storing cargo in a truck bed.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs for example, may include a truck bed(hereinafter referred to as “truck bed” or simply “bed”). Truck beds maybe used to store and transport items with and within the vehicle. Truckbeds generally include an open space surrounded by one or more walls,for example a truck bed may be surrounded by a pair of sidewalls, afront wall, and a tailgate. The truck bed may be a convenient area forstoring items, but may lack mechanisms for organizing the items withinthe bed or for fastening and securing the items as the vehicle moves.Moreover, it may be difficult to adapt the space above a top end of thewalls of the bed without some sort of adaptable truck bed storagesystem.

Accordingly, a need exists for an adaptable truck bed storage systemincluding an adaptable cargo bar for storing cargo in and above a truckbed.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a vehicle includes an adaptable truck bed storagesystem including a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and anadaptable truck bed storage system configured to receive accessoriesthat includes an anchoring assembly including a first fixed end coupledto the first sidewall and a second fixed end coupled to the secondsidewall, the anchoring assembly including at least one pin, and anindexable center bar that extends between the first fixed end and thesecond fixed end, the indexable center bar including a plurality ofaccessory channels on a plurality of sides of the indexable center bar,the accessory channels extending at least a portion of a length of theindexable center bar. The indexable center bar is indexable between aplurality of discrete positions and the pin locks the indexable centerbar in one of the discrete positions to adapt the adaptable truck bedstorage system.

In another embodiment, an adaptable truck bed storage system configuredto receive accessories includes an anchoring assembly comprising a firstfixed end coupled to the first sidewall and a second fixed end coupledto the second sidewall, the anchoring assembly including at least onepin, an indexable center bar that extends between the first fixed endand the second fixed end, the indexable center bar comprising aplurality of accessory channels on a plurality of sides of the indexablecenter bar, the accessory channels extending at least a portion of alength of the indexable center bar. The indexable center bar isindexable between a plurality of discrete positions and the pin locksthe indexable center bar in one of the discrete positions to adapt theadaptable truck bed storage system.

In yet another embodiment, a method of adapting a truck bed thatincludes a first sidewall and a second sidewall to store accessoriesincludes installing an adaptable truck bed storage system configured toreceive accessories, the adaptable truck bed storage system including ananchoring assembly including a first fixed end and a second fixed end,the first fixed end and the second fixed end each including a fixed endpeg that extends inward from the first fixed end and the second fixedend, inserting the fixed end pegs through a support hole of an indexablecenter bar of the adaptable truck bed storage system to hold theindexable center bar in the vehicle vertical direction, and installingan accessory in an accessory channel of the indexable center bar.

These and additional features provided by the embodiments describedherein will be more fully understood in view of the following detaileddescription, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplaryin nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by theclaims. The following detailed description of the illustrativeembodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, where like structure is indicated with likereference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a truck with a truck bed including an adaptable truck bedstorage system with a cargo bar that spans across a width of the truckbed, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 2 depicts the truck bed storage system of FIG. 1 in isolation withthe cargo bar shown including multiple types of cargo bar accessoriesand spanning between two fixed ends, according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3 depicts a first side fixed end of the truck bed storage system ofFIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4 depicts a zoomed-in cross sectional view of the indexable centerbar that spans across the width of the truck bed of FIG. 1, according toone or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of a first side end of the truck bedstorage system of FIG. 1 with an accessory in an uninstalled position,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 6 depicts the first side end of the truck bed storage system ofFIG. 5 with an accessory in an intermediate position, according to oneor more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 7 depicts the first side end of the truck bed storage system ofFIG. 6 with an accessory in an installed position, according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 8 depicts an exploded view of the truck bed storage system of FIG.1 with an indexable center bar separated from a first side fixed end anda second side fixed end of the adaptable cargo storage system of FIG. 1,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 9 depicts the truck bed storage system of FIG. 1 with an indexablecenter bar installed between a first side fixed end and a second sidefixed end of the adaptable cargo storage system of FIG. 1, according toone or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10 depicts a zoomed-in view of a first fixed end of the truck bedstorage system of FIG. 1 with a pull pin in a locked position, accordingto one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 11 depicts a zoomed-in view of a first side end of the truck bedstorage system of FIG. 1 with a pull pin in an unlocked position,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 12 depicts a cross sectional view of the truck bed storage systemof FIG. 7 including three accessories installed on the truck bed storagesystem, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;and

FIG. 13 depicts the truck bed storage system of FIG. 11 rotating betweena first locking position and a second locking position, according to oneor more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 14 depicts a rear view of the truck bed storage system of FIG. 1with an indexable center bar installed between a first side fixed endand a second side fixed end of the adaptable cargo storage system,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Truck beds in trucks and other sport utility vehicles (SUVs) may be usedto store various items of cargo (e.g., shipping boxes, sportingequipment, spare tires, etc.). In some instances, it may be useful forthis cargo to be stored in a particular orientation or held or arrangedin a particular location within the truck bed. For example, a spare tiremay be stored on its side (i.e., such that the tread is in contact withthe truck bed floor) to save room for other cargo within the truck bed.Additionally, cargo may experience acceleration as the vehicle movesfrom place to place. This acceleration may tend to move any cargo thatis not held in place in the truck bed. Further, some cargo may havephysical characteristics that require a particular adaptation to securethe cargo within a truck bed without negatively affecting the cargo.Accordingly, adaptable truck bed storage systems that may include anadaptable cargo bar for storing cargo in and above a truck bed may berequired.

FIG. 1 generally depicts a truck with a truck bed including a truck bedstorage system with a cargo bar that spans across a width of the truckbed. The truck bed storage system includes an indexable center bar thathas multiple sides and spans between a first fixed end and a secondfixed end of an anchoring assembly that are each fixed to the walls ofthe truck bed. One or more accessories are configured to be removablyinstalled at one or more of the sides of the indexable center bar andthe indexable center bar is indexable around an axis that spans betweenthe first fixed end and the second fixed. The indexable center bar isindexable to configure the indexable center bar for interaction withvarious types of cargo within the truck bed.

As used herein, the term “vehicle longitudinal direction” or“longitudinal direction” is used to refer to the forward and rearwarddirection of a vehicle. The term “vehicle lateral direction” or “lateraldirection” is used to refer to the left and right direction of avehicle. The term “inward” or “outward” is used to refer to a directionthat is toward a vehicle centerline with respect to a position that isfurther from the vehicle centerline or away from a vehicle centerlinewith respect to a position that is nearer the vehicle centerline,respectively. As used herein, the term “vehicle vertical direction” or“vertical direction” refers to the upward and downward direction of avehicle with respect to the ground.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 including a truck bed 11 is shown.The truck bed 11 is generally a void that is surrounded by a firstsidewall 12 (shown on the left of the vehicle 10), a second sidewall 13(shown on the right of the vehicle 10), a front wall 14, and a rear wall15. The rear wall 15 shown in FIG. 1 is an adjustable rear wall 15,commonly referred to as a “tailgate,” that is shown pivoted around aconnection with the vehicle 10 at a bottom portion of the rear wall 15,but embodiments are not limited to this arrangement. It is contemplatedthat embodiments of the vehicle 10 may include a rear wall 15 that isfixed in the upright position. The first sidewall 12 and the secondsidewall 13 may each include a fender well 16. The truck bed 11 mayinclude a lining 17 that may line one or more of the floor and the wallsof the truck bed 11. Additionally, it is to be understood that, whileembodiments of the adaptable cargo assembly 100 described herein aredescribed as functioning within the truck bed 11 of the vehicle 10, theadaptable cargo assembly 100 could be adapted to fit within walls of anyvehicle regardless of class, size, make, model, etc., and thatembodiments are not limited to application within a truck bed.

The first sidewall 12 and the second sidewall 13 may each includesidewall accessory tracks 18. The sidewall accessory tracks 18 may betracks or grooves installed in or otherwise coupled to the sidewall. Thesidewall accessory tracks 18 may extend generally in the vehiclelongitudinal direction. The sidewall accessory tracks 18 may include alip or other means for attaching one or more sidewall accessories orother types of implementations to the first sidewall 12 and the secondsidewall 13 of the vehicle 10 using an attachment means such as athreaded fastener.

An adaptable cargo bar assembly 100 may extend between the sidewallaccessory tracks 18. In some embodiments, multiple cargo bar assemblies(e.g., a second adaptable cargo bar assembly 100′) may extend betweenthe sidewall accessory tracks. The adaptable cargo bar assembly 100 mayinclude an indexable center bar 102 that extends between a first fixedend 104 and a second fixed end 106. The first fixed end 104 and thesecond fixed end 106 may be coupled to the vehicle 10 at the sidewallaccessory tracks 18 as will be described in greater detail. Theadaptable cargo bar assembly 100 may be configured to include one ormore accessories and to index through the accessories to configure thevehicle 10 to hold one or more items in the truck bed 11 with theadaptable cargo bar assembly 100 as will be described in greater detailherein.

In the particular exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the adaptablecargo bar assembly 100 and the second adaptable cargo bar assembly 100′are used to hold up a tire 20. The tire 20 rests against the secondadaptable cargo bar assembly 100′ such that it occupies a reducedfootprint within the bed of the vehicle 10 such that other items (e.g.,cargo) can be stored within the truck bed 11. It is to be understoodthat this is merely an exemplary use of the assembly and that other usesare contemplated in accordance with the description herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the adaptable cargo bar assembly 100 of FIG. 1is schematically depicted in isolation. The adaptable cargo bar assembly100 includes the first fixed end 104, the second fixed end 106, and theindexable center bar 102. The indexable center bar 102 may index throughtwo or more discrete positions to reposition one or more accessoriesthat may be removably attached to the indexable center bar 102. Brieflyreferring to FIG. 14, the indexable center bar 102 may be configured toremovably attach to one or more clamps 108 a, anchors 108 b, platforms108 c, and/or other accessories. Referring again to FIG. 2, the clamps108 a and platforms 108 c, and other accessories (e.g., the anchors 108b shown in FIG. 14, etc.) may removably couple to the indexable centerbar 102 at one or more sides of the indexable center bar 102, e.g., afirst side 102 a. The particular example embodiment in FIG. 2 shows anindexable center bar 102 with four sides, but embodiments are not solimited.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the first fixed end 104 and the second fixedend 106 each include a biased pin 110 that is used to hold the indexablecenter bar 102 in one of the two or more discrete positions. As depictedin FIG. 2, the indexable center bar 102 is in a first position with thefirst side 102 a at the top of the indexable center bar 102, but theindexable center bar 102 can rotate through several positions by pullingthe biased pin 110 and unlocking the indexable center bar 102 asdescribed in greater detail herein. Additionally, while the particularexample embodiment of the indexable center bar 102 depicted in FIG. 2has four sides (i.e., the side profile the indexable center bar 102makes a quadrangle as shown in FIG. 4), it is contemplated thatembodiments might include any number of sides, including, but notlimited to, two, three, five, six, seven, or eight sides.

Referring to both FIGS. 2 and 3, the biased pins 110 may be selectivelyactuated to allow or prevent the indexable center bar 102 to rotateabout an indexing axis 112 that extends between the first fixed end 104and the second fixed end 106. While the particular embodiment shown inFIG. 2 has biased pins 110 in the top of the first fixed end 104 and thesecond fixed end 106, it is to be understood that the biased pins 110could be configured in any one of the sides of the first fixed end 104and the second fixed end 106. In some embodiments, the biased pins 110may be located on the indexable center bar 102 and extend therefrom,into the first fixed end 104 and the second fixed end 106 to lock theindexable center bar 102 in place.

The indexable center bar 102 may be formed of a metal such as, forexample, aluminum, copper, nickel, steel, titanium, or steel and may befabricated using an extrusion process, but embodiments are not solimited. It is contemplated that the indexable center bar 102 and othercomponents of the adaptable cargo bar assembly 100 may be formed from aplastic material, such as a high density plastic like polyethylene(“PE”), polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), and the like, and maybe fabricated using a process such as, for example, plastic extrusion,or may be fabricated from a carbon-based material, such as carbon fiber.

Briefly referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the first fixed end 104 and thesecond fixed end 106 fix to the first sidewall 12 and the secondsidewall 13, respectively, in the sidewall accessory tracks 18 such thatthey maintain a constant vertical orientation in the vehicle verticaldirection with respect to the vehicle 10. The first fixed end 104 andthe second fixed end 106 can be moved along the sidewall accessorytracks 18 in the vehicle longitudinal direction by adjusting a clampingpressure of one or more sidewall clamps 116. The sidewall clamps 116 mayinclude fixed end attachment mechanisms 142 that slide into the sidewallaccessory tracks 18 of the sidewalls of the truck bed 11. The firstfixed end 104 and the second fixed end 106 may be fixed in one positionalong the longitudinal length of the truck bed 11 by adjusting theclamping pressure between the sidewall accessory tracks 18 and the fixedend attachment mechanisms 142 by adjusting a fixed end knob 144.

By adjusting the relative longitudinal position of the first fixed end104 and the second fixed end 106 along the sidewall accessory tracks 18,the relative longitudinal position of the indexing axis 112 can be movedin the vehicle longitudinal direction because the first fixed end 104and the second fixed end 106 each include a fixed end peg 114 thatextends inward from the first fixed end 104 and the second fixed end 106along the indexing axis 112. Briefly referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, thefixed end pegs 114 hold the indexable center bar 102 vertically byextending into a support hole 118 of the indexable center bar 102. Thelongitudinal position of the indexable center bar 102 can be adjusted bymoving the first fixed end 104 and the second fixed end 106 forward andrearward along the sidewall accessory tracks 18 with the indexablecenter bar 102 in position along the indexing axis 112.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 10, the biased pin 110 is depicted in detail.The biased pin 110 may be a pin that selectively extends from an inwardend of each of the first fixed end 104 and the second fixed end 106 andis biased by a biasing mechanism, such as a spring, in the vehicleinward direction. The biased pin 110 may include notches 110 a thatinteract with a bump 128 a (FIG. 4) in an outer lip 128 of the indexablecenter bar 102 to increase the resistance to removal of the biased pin110 from an accessory channel 120 of the indexable center bar 102.Additionally, the biased pin 110 may be contoured to fit within theaccessory channel 120 to further prevent rotation of the indexablecenter bar 102 while the biased pin 110 is in the accessory channel 120.That is, in embodiments the biased pin 110 may selectively extend intothe accessory channel 120 of the indexable center bar 102 to selectivelyenable indexing of the indexable center bar 102 about the indexing axis112. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the biased pin 110 isin a locking position that locks the indexable center bar 102 andprevents it from rotating by interfering with the rotational motion ofthe indexable center bar 102.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the indexable center bar 102. Insome embodiments, the indexable center bar 102 may have a constant crosssectional profile along the length of the indexable center bar 102, butembodiments are not limited to such a configuration. It is contemplatedthat a cross sectional profile of the indexable center bar 102 maychange along a length of the indexable center bar 102. For example, thecross sectional profile of the indexable center bar 102 may increase ordecrease in size along a length of the indexable center bar 102. Thelength dimension of the indexable center bar 102 is the dimension thatmay span the width of the truck bed when the indexable center bar 102 isinstalled.

The particular exemplary embodiment of the indexable center bar 102depicted in FIG. 4 includes the first side 102 a, the second side 102 b,the third side 102 c, and a fourth side 102 d, but embodiments may havemore or less than four sides, such as six sides (hexagonal) or more. Thesides 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d may be formed by four flanges 103 a,103 b, 103 c, 103 d that are integrally formed with and extend outwardlyfrom a base 122 at four radial walls 124 a, 124 b, 124 c, 124 d. Attheir outermost portion, the flanges 103 a, 103 b, 103, 103 d mayinclude outwardly facing walls that may meet at a right angle to formthe sides 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d of the indexable center bar 102.Each side 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d may include a T-bar slot 126. TheT-bar slot 126 may be used to connect the one or more accessories to theindexable center bar 102.

The T-bar slot 126 forms an opening for the accessory channel 120. Anouter lip 128 and an inner lip 130 may extend into the accessory channel120. The outer lip 128 may include bumps 128 a that extend inward towardthe base 122 from opposite ends of the flanges 103. The one or moreaccessories attached to the indexable center bar 102 may attach to oneor more of the outer lip 128 and the inner lip 130. The indexable centerbar 102 may include one or more cavities 132 to reduce the weight of theindexable center bar 102. Additionally, the indexable center bar 102 mayinclude one or more notches 105. The notches 105 may guide accessoriesalong a length of the indexable center bar 102 as the accessories areslid into place and the notches 105 generally increase the surface areato increase the friction between installed accessories and the indexablecenter bar 102.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the first fixed end 104 coupled to a firstend 102 e of the indexable center bar 102. The first fixed end 104 mayinclude a first anchor 131. A first fixed bar 133 with a wide slot 134may fit within the first anchor 131. The first anchor 131 holds thefirst fixed bar 133 up in the vertical direction. The first fixed bar133 is selectively attached to the first anchor 131 and the connectionmay be adjusted with the knob 136. The first fixed bar 133 includes thewide slot 134 for receiving one or more accessories. Although notdepicted, it should be understood that in some embodiments, aconfiguration of the second fixed end 106 is substantially similar,although mirrored, on the opposite side of the truck bed.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the T-bar slot 126 of the indexable center bar102 may include a compatibility slot 127 that extends along alongitudinal length of the indexable center bar 102 between the firstend 102 e of the indexable center bar 102 and the T-bar slot 126. Thecompatibility slot 127 is wider than the T-bar slot 126 and may act as aguide for accessories that are inserted into the T-bar slot 126.

The first anchor 131 includes a top wall 131 a and two sidewalls 131 b,131 c. A bottom of the first anchor 131 may be open to allow insertionof the first fixed bar 133. The first fixed bar 133 may be held in thefirst anchor 131 by a fastening mechanism that can be tightened usingthe knob 136. The first fixed bar 133 is similar to the indexable centerbar 102, but the first fixed bar 133 includes at least one wide slot 134that faces downward. The wide slot 134 may be wider than the attachmentmechanisms of the accessories that may be installed in the T-bar slot126 of the sides 102 a-102 d of the indexable center bar 102 and thewide slot 134 may be configured such that it can be substantiallyaligned with the compatibility slot 127 in each side of the sides 102 a,102 b, 102 c, 102 d of the indexable center bar 102.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, installation of one or more accessories willbe described with reference to the FIGS. FIG. 5 shows the first fixedend 104 holding the first fixed bar 133 at the first anchor 131. Abottom view including the first fixed end 104 and the wide slot 134 inthe first fixed bar 133 facing downward is depicted. Clamps 108 a areshown as a first accessory with an accessory attachment mechanism 138[need to add to FIG. 5] facing the wide slot 134. The accessoryattachment mechanism 138 may be configured to apply an adjustablepressure to the T-bar slot 126 of the indexable center bar 102, forexample, by adjusting an accessory knob 140 once the accessory is in theT-bar slot 126.

The accessory attachment mechanisms 138 may be inserted in the wide slot134 as depicted by the double arrows in FIG. 5. Once the accessory hasbeen inserted in the wide slot 134, it may be moved in the vehicleinward direction (−y as depicted in FIG. 5) through the compatibilityslot 127 and into the T-bar slot 126 as indicated by the double arrowsin FIG. 6. The accessory may be selectively located to any positionalong the length of the indexable center bar 102.

Once the accessory is in the correct position along the length of theindexable center bar 102 the accessory knob 140 may be adjusted totighten the connection between the accessory attachment mechanism 138and the T-bar slot 126 to hold the accessory in place in the correctposition along the length of the indexable center bar 102. Additionalaccessories may then be installed on the indexable center bar 102. Forexample, one or more additional accessories may be installed on theindexable center bar 102 at the first fixed bar 133 or the second fixedbar (not shown) by sliding the accessories as described and actuatingthe respective attachment mechanisms of the additional accessories intothe T-bar slot 126. Additionally, the indexable center bar 102 may beindexed to any one of the other three positions and additionalaccessories may be installed in the other T-bar slots of the indexablecenter bar 102.

FIGS. 8 and 9 depict the indexable adaptable cargo assembly 100 in anexploded view and a connected view, respectively, to depict installationof the indexable center bar 102. As shown in FIG. 8, the indexablecenter bar 102 may be installed between the first fixed end 104 and thesecond fixed end 106. As described herein, the first fixed end 104 andthe second fixed end 106 may be attached to the first sidewall 12 andsecond sidewall 13 of the truck bed and configured to slide along thesidewalls in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The indexable centerbar 102 may be positioned between the first fixed end 104 and the secondfixed end 106 before the fixed end attachment mechanisms 142 are placedinside the sidewall accessory tracks 18. The indexable center bar 102may be supported in the vehicle vertical direction between the firstfixed end 104 and the second fixed end 106 by the fixed end pegs 114.The fixed end pegs 114 may be inserted into the support hole 118 (bestshown in FIG. 4) of the indexable center bar 102 as indicated by thedouble arrows of FIG. 9. The indexable center bar 102 can rotate aboutthe fixed end pegs 114 to index between various configurations as isdescribed in greater detail herein. Once the first fixed end 104 and thesecond fixed end 106 are coupled to the indexable center bar 102 asshown in FIG. 10, the fixed end attachment mechanisms 142 may be placedinside the sidewall accessory tracks 18 and the indexable center bar 102may be slid forward and rearward in the vehicle longitudinal directionto the appropriate position.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the mechanism for locking the indexablecenter bar 102 in a particular configuration (e.g., with the appropriateaccessories extending from the indexable center bar 102 in a selecteddirection) is depicted. FIG. 10 shows the first fixed end 104 includingthe biased pin 110 extending inward from the first fixed bar 133 into alocked position. In the locked position, the biased pin 110 extendsinward from the first fixed bar 133 into one of the accessory channels120 of the indexable center bar 102. In the locked position the biasedpin 110 inhibits rotation of the indexable center bar 102. The biasedpin 110 may be biased in the vehicle inward direction, so the indexablecenter bar 102 may default to a locked position.

As shown in FIG. 11, the biased pin 110 can move in the vehicle outwarddirection so that it is clear of the outward end of the indexable centerbar 102. Once the biased pin 110 is clear of the accessory channel 120,the indexable center bar 102 can rotate about the fixed end pegs 114 asindicated by double arrow A in FIG. 11. In some embodiments, one or bothof the biased pins 110 on the first end 102 e and second end of theindexable center bar 102 may include an interlocking mechanism thatholds the biased pin 110 in the unlocked position overcoming the bias ofthe biased pin 110. This may allow, for instance, one of the biased pins110 to remain in the unlocked position while the other is selectivelymoved from the locked position to the unlocked position so that a useror users need not pull both biased pins 110 outward simultaneously. Inother embodiments, the biased pins 110 may be mechanically coupled suchthat pulling one biased pin 110 from the locked position to the unlockedposition also pulls the other biased pin 110 from the locked position tothe unlocked position. In some embodiments, only one of the first fixedend 104 and the second fixed end 106 includes a biased pin 110.

Referring to FIGS. 10-14, rotation of the indexable center bar 102 isdepicted. As shown in FIG. 10, the indexable center bar 102 is in afirst position. The biased pin 110 may be pulled to an unlocked positionas described herein with respect to FIG. 11 such that the biased pin 110is removed from the accessory channel 120 of the indexable center bar102. As shown in FIG. 12, the indexable center bar 102 is rotatablebetween a first position and a second position. While the indexablecenter bar 102 is between the first position and the second position thebiased pin 110 may be prevented from returning to the locked position bythe radial wall 124 (FIG. 4). It is contemplated that the indexablecenter bar 102 may rotate in either the counter-clockwise or theclockwise direction to shift between positions.

Rotation of the indexable center bar 102 may continue in substantiallythe same manner to shift the indexable center bar 102 to the third andfourth positions. Additionally, embodiments are not limited to shiftingbetween the various positions of the indexable center bar 102sequentially. It is contemplated that the indexable center bar 102 mayshift between its various positions out of sequence, for example, theindexable center bar 102 may shift from the first position to the thirdposition and vice-a-versa or from the second position to the fourthposition and vice-a-versa.

It should now be understood that an adaptable cargo assembly can includean indexable center bar with one or more slots for receivingaccessories. The accessories may be used to store or otherwise retainvarious objects within a truck bed or other storage location of avehicle. The adaptability of the cargo assembly increases the number ofobjects and the number of types of objects that can be stored within thevehicle, generally making the vehicle more useful.

It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilizedherein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may beattributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or otherrepresentation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent thedegree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a statedreference without resulting in a change in the basic function of thesubject matter at issue.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein,it should be understood that various other changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimedsubject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimedsubject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not beutilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appendedclaims cover all such changes and modifications that are within thescope of the claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle that includes an adaptable truck bedstorage system comprising: a first sidewall and a second sidewall; andan adaptable truck bed storage system configured to receive accessoriescomprising: an anchoring assembly comprising a first fixed end coupledto the first sidewall and a second fixed end coupled to the secondsidewall, the anchoring assembly comprising at least one pin; and anindexable center bar that extends between the first fixed end and thesecond fixed end, the indexable center bar comprising a plurality ofaccessory channels on a plurality of sides of the indexable center bar,the accessory channels extending at least a portion of a length of theindexable center bar, wherein the indexable center bar is indexablebetween a plurality of discrete positions and the pin locks theindexable center bar in one of the discrete positions to adapt theadaptable truck bed storage system.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1, whereinthe first fixed end is moveably coupled to the first sidewall and thesecond fixed end is moveably coupled to the second sidewall.
 3. Thevehicle of claim 1, wherein the indexable center bar comprises foursides.
 4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein each side of the indexablecenter bar comprises an accessory channel.
 5. The vehicle of claim 4,wherein each accessory channel comprises an outer lip and an inner lip.6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the indexable center bar consists ofan extruded metal.
 7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the pin is abiased pin that is biased in the vehicle inward direction.
 8. Thevehicle of claim 1, wherein the first fixed end and the second fixed endeach comprise a pin extending inward from the first fixed end and thesecond fixed end and both of the pins extending from the first fixed endand the second fixed end are biased in the vehicle inward direction. 9.The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the pins extending from the first fixedend and the second fixed end are biased using a spring.
 10. An adaptabletruck bed storage system configured to receive accessories comprising:an anchoring assembly comprising a first fixed end coupled to the firstsidewall and a second fixed end coupled to the second sidewall, theanchoring assembly comprising at least one pin; an indexable center barthat extends between the first fixed end and the second fixed end, theindexable center bar comprising a plurality of accessory channels on aplurality of sides of the indexable center bar, the accessory channelsextending at least a portion of a length of the indexable center bar,wherein the indexable center bar is indexable between a plurality ofdiscrete positions and the pin locks the indexable center bar in one ofthe discrete positions to adapt the adaptable truck bed storage system.11. The adaptable truck bed storage system of claim 10, wherein: thefirst fixed end is configured to be moveably coupled to a first sidewallof a vehicle, and the second fixed end is configured to be moveablycoupled to a second sidewall of a vehicle.
 12. The adaptable truck bedstorage system of claim 10, wherein: the first fixed end comprises afirst anchor and the first anchor comprises a top wall and twosidewalls; and the second fixed end comprises a second anchor and thesecond anchor comprises a top wall and two sidewalls.
 13. The adaptabletruck bed storage system of claim 12, wherein the first anchor isconfigured to receive a first fixed bar and the second anchor isconfigured to receive a second fixed bar.
 14. The adaptable truck bedstorage system of claim 13, wherein the first fixed bar and the secondfixed bar each comprise a fixed end peg extending inward from the firstfixed bar and the second fixed bar.
 15. The adaptable truck bed storagesystem of claim 14, wherein the indexable center bar comprises a supporthole that is configured to slide over the fixed end pegs to hold theindexable center bar up in a vertical direction.
 16. The adaptable truckbed storage system of claim 11, wherein the indexable center barcomprises an extruded metal.
 17. The adaptable truck bed storage systemof claim 11, wherein the indexable center bar comprises a plurality ofT-bar slots, each T-bar slot disposed on a side of the indexable centerbar and configured to receive a plurality of accessories.
 18. Theadaptable truck bed storage system of claim 17, wherein the T-bar slotcomprises an inner lip and an outer lip.
 19. A method of adapting atruck bed that includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall to storeaccessories, the method comprising: installing an adaptable truck bedstorage system configured to receive accessories, the adaptable truckbed storage system including an anchoring assembly comprising a firstfixed end and a second fixed end, the first fixed end and the secondfixed end each including a fixed end peg that extends inward from thefirst fixed end and the second fixed end; inserting the fixed end pegsthrough a support hole of an indexable center bar of the adaptable truckbed storage system to hold the indexable center bar in the vehiclevertical direction; and installing an accessory in an accessory channelof the indexable center bar.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein one ormore of the first fixed end and the second fixed end includes a biasedpin and the biased pin slides in and out of the accessory channel of theindexable center bar as the indexable center bar rotates between one ormore discrete positions on an indexing axis.